WEDDINGS IN THE U.A.E.

As a tradition in the UAE, the setting of the wedding date
marks the beginning of the brides preparation for her wedding.
Although the groom is also put through a series of preparations,
the brides preparations are naturally more elaborate and
time consuming.

In preparation for her wedding, she is anointed with all sorts
of traditional oils and perfumes from head to toe. Her body is
rubbed with cleansing and conditioning oils and creams, the hands
and feet are decorated with henna and the hair is washed with
extracts of amber and jasmine. She is fed only the best of foods
and her girlfriends prepare the best dishes which they share
with her. Traditionally, she is not seen for forty days except
for family members as she rests at home in preparation for her
wedding day. Fine pieces of jewelry, perfumes, silk materials,
and other necessary items are presented to her by the groom,
from which she creates her elaborate trousseau called Addahbia.

The festivities usually take about one week before the wedding
night. During that week, traditional music, continuous singing,
and dancing take place reflecting the joy shared by the brides
and the grooms family. Nowadays, although most weddings
are celebrated in less than one week, they are just as elaborate
and ceremonial, if not more.

A few days before the wedding night is the henna night or
Laylat Al Henna which is a very special night for the bride since
it is a ladies night only. On this night, the brides
hands and feet are decorated with henna, which is a dark brown
paste made from the henna plant. When left on the skin for some
time, the henna leaves a dark red stain.

The henna night is a time for all the brides sisters,
female family members, and girlfriends to get together and sing
and dance. All female family members and guests also decorate
their hands with henna. The henna is not used for decorative
purposes only but it serves also as a hair and skin conditioner
as well as a medicament for some wounds, when mixed with special
ingredients.

Another traditional element of the UAE customs is the Arabian
Kohl or eyeliner. The bride, as well as many other UAE women,
like to line their eyes on almost all occasions. Famous for their
beautiful, large, and black eyes, the UAE women have used the
Arabian kohl for many years.

Taken from a black stone known as Al Athmed which is brought
from Saudi Arabia, the kohl is prepared through different methods
and stages. First, the stone is heated until it disintegrates
and then it is processed in water and Arabian coffee or sometimes
henna leaves (depending on the method used) and it is left for
forty days to process. Finally, it is ground into a fine powder
and it is ready to be used as an eyeliner for the eyes. Used
by women of all ages, the Arabian eyeliner is also known to be
useful for the eyes.

After her eyes are lined, her hair is perfumed and her hands
and feet are decorated with henna, the bride is ready for her
wedding night. The back-to-back feasts and celebrations involve
both men and women who usually celebrate separately. Although
different areas of the country may have slightly differences
in their celebrations and customs, the general traditions are
the same throughout the country most of which are still adhered
to.

In 1992, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Zayed
Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a Marriage Fund has been set up in order
to limit over-spending on weddings and celebrations. The fund
was aimed at encouraging the UAE men to marry UAE women, assisting
in covering the expenses of both the wedding and the setting-up
of a family, increasing the birth rate, and discouraging men
from marrying foreigners.

The Fund provides between Dh 60,000 to Dh 70,000 depending
on certain criteria to young UAE nationals. In tandem with this,
the government has launched a campaign aimed at persuading UAE
fathers to accept lower dowries. It has also built special wedding
halls where receptions can take place without incurring the expenses
associated with expensive hotel receptions.

Under the directives and instructions from President His Highness
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan to curb soaring wedding expenses
which burden the youth, the UAEs Cabinet, on the 29th of
September, 1997 approved a letter from the Justice and Islamic
Affairs Minister outlining a draft law defining dowries, the
money paid by a groom to his bride, under Islamic Law, at Dh
20,000, divorce compensation at Dh 30,000, and wedding parties
should not exceed one day.